Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi joined Tuesday other ministers and top government officials in Southeast Asia for an online round table discussion with the theme “Accelerate Full Electrification in ASEAN with Greener Power Mix” in celebration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Clean Energy Week (ACEW).

Cusi said that under the clean energy or low carbon scenario envisioned by the Philippine government for the future, there will be a slower growth of the total primary energy supply (TPES), as a result of the country’s energy efficiency and conservation measures.

“Coal and oil shares will also continue to decrease due to the use of alternative fuels for transport, among others. This also translates to a power generation mix that shifts from being coal–centered to one where renewable energy, natural gas, and other emerging clean energy technologies will have increased shares,” Cusi said.

The combined clean energy sources, he added, will improve to reach more than 66 percent of the total generation by 2040.

Cusi said the DOE is prioritizing the issuance of the National Renewable Energy Program 2020-2040 to achieve the envisioned target of around 34,000 MW of renewable energy installations by 2040.

To achieve the low carbon scenario,  Cusi said he has just approved the updated Philippine Energy Plan (PEP) 2018-2040, which contains the necessary adjustments that the country has to make because of recent global developments, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the energy sector.

He also submitted the same to the House of Representatives and the Senate for the legislators to craft the necessary laws or amend existing ones to support the PEP.

“The updated version will help the energy family and our stakeholders better understand what the energy situation will be 20 years from now,”  Cusi pointed out.

The updated sustainable and strategic PEP embodies a clear set of objectives, namely:

A. increase the production of clean and indigenous sources of energy to meet the economic development of the country;

B. decrease the wasteful utilization of energy through the use of energy efficiency tools and strategies; and

C. ensure the balance among the provision of reliable and reasonably priced energy services, support for economic growth, and protection of the environment.

Cusi likewise renewed his commitment to faithfully implement Republic Act 9513 or the Philippine Renewable Energy Law for the remainder of his term as energy secretary.

Aside from Cusi, other speakers included top energy officials from Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

Senator Win Gatchalian delivered the Government Welcome Talk for the Opening of the ACEW.

Chairperson Monalisa Dimalanta of the Philippines’ National Renewable Energy Board was the round table discussion’s  moderator.

The round table discussion was organized by Hongkong-based Leader Associates, a global leading renewable energy event organizer.